KUCHING: The award-winning Ola Bola: The Musical opened to a full house of approximately 2,000 in the audience on Friday night at Stadium Perpaduan here.
The audience was enthralled by the captivating theatrical show which featured the efforts of Malaysian national football team Harimau Malaya to qualify for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow — a redemption after losing to North Korea in 1976 which caused them to be disqualified from the international games.
During the musical, the vibrant cast took the audience on a journey of hope and struggle which had them bursting out in laughter and empathising with the performers during their lowest points.
With talented performers from varying ethnic backgrounds, the musical represents the multi-cultural uniqueness of Malaysia. A number of well-known local performers such as Altimet, Iedil Putra, Brian Chan, and Tony Eusoff are involved in the musical.
The musical’s theme of patriotism was evident as Harimau Malaya strove to make the nation proud through their passion for football.
The audience was completely invested in the musical and football matches, emanating deafening cheers in support of the team.
Meanwhile, the musical’s director and producer Puan Seri Tiara Jacquelina remarked that the opening night of the Sarawak edition of the show had the most amazing audience they had ever performed for.
“The energy of the audience is what makes tonight’s show — the performance has never been at this level.
“I really felt it when they were cheering for every goal and calling out ‘Malaysia, Malaysia’. That was the whole vision of Ola Bola — to have that spirit of celebrating Merdeka and Malaysia,” gushed Tiara.
The opening night was officiated at by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg who enthusiastically exclaimed “Ola Bola!” with a huge smile as he left the premises of the stadium after the musical.
Today will be the last day for Ola Bola: The Musical in Kuching — the following performance will be in Sabah.
